What are the best ways to help your clients understand their role and responsibilities in healthcare?

As a patient advocate, you play a vital role in helping your clients navigate the complex and often confusing healthcare system. You support them in making informed decisions, accessing quality care, and resolving issues or concerns. But how can you help your clients understand their role and responsibilities in healthcare? Here are some tips to empower your clients and foster a collaborative relationship with their healthcare providers.

1 Explain the basics

Before you dive into the details of your client's specific situation, make sure they have a clear understanding of the basics of healthcare. This includes the types of services and providers available, the costs and benefits of different options, the rights and responsibilities of patients, and the common terms and acronyms used in healthcare. You can use simple language, visuals, examples, and analogies to explain these concepts and check for comprehension.

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2 Assess their needs and preferences

Every client is unique and has different needs and preferences when it comes to their health and wellbeing. As a patient advocate, you should assess your client's health literacy, communication style, learning preferences, cultural background, values, and goals. This will help you tailor your approach and provide the most relevant and useful information and support for your client. You should also respect your client's autonomy and encourage them to express their opinions and preferences.

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Enhance Hungwe

Regional Health Promoter (Southern Region) Results Based Financing for Immunization at Crown Agents
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In my experience , addressing the needs of a patient is an important aspect for them to understand their roles and responsibilities. Service providers tend to generalise clients need not bearing in mind they are from different social backgrounds , at one time a patient missed an appointment for chemotherapy as there was a challenge with accessing transport as well as iliterate to read the next due appointment , while working as an education and outreach officer my work also spread to identifying client history and background , this helped in advocating clients to have telephone call as follow up pre-appointmnt dates and resulted in timely target for confirmed appointments reducing treatment risks

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3 Educate and inform

One of your main tasks as a patient advocate is to educate and inform your client about their health condition, treatment options, risks and benefits, outcomes, and expectations. You should provide accurate, evidence-based, and up-to-date information that is relevant to your client's situation and goals. You should also explain the pros and cons of different choices and help your client weigh them against their values and preferences. You should avoid giving medical advice or imposing your own views on your client.

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Enhance Hungwe

Regional Health Promoter (Southern Region) Results Based Financing for Immunization at Crown Agents
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In my experience working as an education and outreach officer , ive noted that the issue of myth busting was least focused resulting in clients seeking late treatment of cancer , the reason being that many service providers do not create ample time to ask and address questions from clients , having noted that outreach or sensitisation in communities has helped me encourage more clients to seek early detection and treatment of cancer on its early stages , myth busting being the main concern hindering early treatment

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4 Coach and empower

Another important task as a patient advocate is to coach and empower your client to take an active role in their healthcare. You should help your client develop the skills and confidence to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, ask questions, express concerns, seek clarification, and provide feedback. You should also help your client prepare for appointments, follow-up on instructions, keep track of their records, and monitor their progress. You should celebrate their achievements and motivate them to overcome challenges.

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5 Advocate and mediate

Sometimes, your client may encounter barriers, conflicts, or issues in their healthcare that require your intervention. As a patient advocate, you should advocate for your client's best interests and rights, and mediate any disputes or complaints with their healthcare providers or insurers. You should act as a liaison between your client and the healthcare system, and facilitate a respectful and collaborative dialogue. You should also help your client access any resources or support they may need.

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Enhance Hungwe

Regional Health Promoter (Southern Region) Results Based Financing for Immunization at Crown Agents
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One thing ive found out helpful is advocating and mediating , at one time a patient had language/communication barrier regarding costs of treatment , noticing the patient was worried with what has been said, i had to mediate between service provider to simplify medical terms and create ample dialogue until patient understood , after intervening , the patient was happy with the outcome of the service provider with questions cleared

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6 Review and evaluate

Finally, as a patient advocate, you should review and evaluate your client's experience and satisfaction with their healthcare. You should solicit their feedback, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and measure their outcomes and progress. You should also reflect on your own performance and effectiveness as a patient advocate, and seek feedback from your client, their healthcare providers, and your peers. You should use this information to improve your practice and skills as a patient advocate.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to help your clients understand their role and responsibilities in healthcare?

1

2

3

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1 Explain the basics

2 Assess their needs and preferences

3 Educate and inform

4 Coach and empower

5 Advocate and mediate

6 Review and evaluate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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What are the best ways to help your clients understand their role and responsibilities in healthcare?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Explain the basics

2 Assess their needs and preferences

3 Educate and inform

4 Coach and empower

5 Advocate and mediate

6 Review and evaluate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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